Fuchsia plant named ‘FWIDE16-1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Fuchsia  cultivar named ‘FWIDE16-1’ is disclosed, characterized a vigorous but controlled growth and semi-pendulous plants suitable for commercial basket production. Flowers have a bright pink calyx and dark violet corolla; flowering response is not dependent upon day length. The new variety is a  Fuchsia , typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Fuchsia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘FWIDE16-1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a seedling discovered among a commercial planting ofFuchsia hybrid varieties. The parents are unknown. ‘FWIDE16-1’ wasdiscovered by the inventor, Steve Jones, at a commercial greenhouse inSanta Paula, Calif. during Spring of 2012.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘FWIDE16-1’ was first performedin Santa Paula, Calif. at a commercial greenhouse by vegetative cuttingsin Summer of 2012. ‘FWIDE16-1’ has since produced several generationsand has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘FWIDE16-1’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘FWIDE16-1’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘FWIDE16-1’ as a new and distinct Fuchsiacultivar:

-   -   1. Vigorous but controlled plant growth.    -   2. Highly floriferous plants.    -   3. Flowering response not dependent upon day length.    -   4. Distinctive bright pink calyx with dark violet corolla.    -   5. Attractive semi-pendulous plant habit.    -   6. Suitability for commercial basket production.

Plants of the new cultivar Fuchsia ‘FWIDE16-1’ are best compared to thecommercial variety Fuchsia ‘Kiefuter’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,773. Thetwo Fuchsia varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, the new variety differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has a deeper and brighter colored calyx near        52A, compared to the sepal color of 56A of ‘Kiefuter’.    -   2. The new variety has deeper and brighter colored petals,        colored brighter than Violet 86A, compared to the petal color of        Purple 78A of ‘Kiefuter’.    -   3. The new variety has more anthocyanin present in stems and        veins, coloring stems and veins Greyed-Purple, whereas stems and        veins of the comparator are green.    -   4. Comparison variety produces less flowers per plant.    -   5. Comparison variety produces larger flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar Fuchsia ‘FWIDE16-1’ can also be compared tothe commercial variety Fuchsia ‘FWIRP26-0’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,427.The two Fuchsia varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, the new variety differs in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are more upright, growing almost        twice as tall and just over half the width of the comparator.    -   2. The new variety has more anthocyanin present in veins,        coloring veins Greyed-Purple, whereas veins of the comparator        are green.    -   3. Comparison variety produces larger flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘FWIDE16-1’ grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. Thisplant is approximately 17 weeks old, shown in a 8 inch pot. FIG. 2illustrates a close up of the flowers. The photographs were taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘FWIDE16-0’0 ‘FWIDE16-1’ plants in acommercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodictreatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Naturallight conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Fuchsia hybrid ‘FWIDE16-1’.

PROPAGATION

-   Propagation method: Vegetative Cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: About 2 weeks at 15° C. to 22° C.-   Root description: Fine, densely fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 17 weeks from 3 rooted    cuttings.-   Pot size of plant described: 8 inch.-   Height: Approximately 41 cm from soil line of pot to top of foliar    and uppermost flowering plane.-   Plant spread: Approximately 58 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Growth habit: Semi-erect and pendulous.-   Branching characteristics: Free branching.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Average 25 to 25 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.5 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: Approximately 15.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Strength.—Strong, flexible.-   Internode length: Average range 1.2 cm to 2.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 18 to 22 fully expanded leaves per            primary lateral branch.        -   Average length.—5.6 cm, including petiole.        -   Average width.—2.7 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Oblique.        -   Margin.—Shallowly denate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Aspect.—Mostly flat.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green N138B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Greyed-Purple 187C. Venation color under side: Main vein            near RHS Greyed-Orange 174C, flushed with Greyed-Purple            187B, lateral veins near Greyed-Purple 187B.        -   Attachment.—Stalked.        -   Petiole.—Length: Average 1.0 cm. Diameter: Average 0.2 cm.            Texture: Glabrous. Color: Upper surface: Near RHS            Greyed-Purple 183B. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green            146D, flushed Greyed-Purple 185A.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: 1 to 3 flowers emerge    singly from each axil. Flowers emerge at different times, resulting    in flowers of different maturity at each axil. Flowers are    symmetrical and composed of a corolla surrounded by a decorative    fused calyx. Flowers face outwardly.-   Flowers per plant: Approximately 80 fully open flowers and 100 buds    on a mature plant.-   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 1 week for individual    flowers.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.-   Flower size (petals and sepals only, not including protruding stamen    and style):    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3.8 cm.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong, with an inflated sphere at terminal end.        -   Length.—2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.5 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red 53C, with extreme brightness of            appearance.-   Corolla:    -   -   Petals (measured from separation at top of tube).—Number:            Average 5 to 7. Length: Approximately 1.5 cm. Width:            Approximately 1.7 cm. Shape: Orbicular. Aspect: Somewhat            cupped or slightly undulating. Margin: Entire. Texture:            Glabrous, all surfaces. Appearance: Matte. Apex: Obtuse.            Color: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Violet 86A, but            darker and deeper, very vibrant. Basal blotch near            Red-Purple 58B. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet 86A, but            darker and deeper, very vibrant. Basal blotch near            Red-Purple 58B. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS Violet            86A, but darker and deeper, very vibrant. Basal blotch near            Red-Purple 58B. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet 86A, but            darker and deeper, very vibrant. Basal blotch near            Red-Purple 58B. Fading: Upper surface: Near RHS Violet 86B.            Basal blotch near Red-Purple 58B. Lower surface: Near RHS            Violet 86B. Basal blotch near Red-Purple 58B.-   Calyx:    -   -   Form.—Funnel form base, separating approximately 25% from            base, to flaring out into 4 large decorative deltoid shaped            sepals. Sepals reflexed back.        -   Fused section.—Length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Unfused section.—Length: Approximately 2.7 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Sepal texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.        -   Appearance.—Bright and vibrant, not iridescent.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Red 52A, but brighter. Lower            Surface: Near RHS Red 53C.-   Fragrance: None.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D, slight flush of            Greyed-Purple N186C.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).—Typically 8.        -   Filament length.—Average 2.9 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 58B.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Globular. Length: Approximately 0.1 cm.            Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187D.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Scarce, colored Orange-White 159C.-   Pistils:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.3 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 4.7 cm. Color: Base near RHS            Red-Purple 62D, upper ⅔ near Red-Purple 58B.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Globular. Color: Near Red-Purple 61C. Ovary:            Length: Approximately 0.7 cm. Diameter: Approximately            0.4 cm. Color: Near RHS Green 139B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Fuchsia has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately −1    C to 38 C.-   Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Fuchsia plantnamed ‘FWIDE16-1’ as herein illustrated and described.